The Time of Her Life

“I came from Raleigh and wasn’t exactly sure how long the drive would take.”

“Raleigh. Wow.” Amber said. “I hope Mr. C. brought you through Asheboro so you didn’t deal with the traffic on 85.”

Mr. C. hadn’t brought her through Asheboro because Susanna had let her GPS lead the way. “I’m happy to report the traffic wasn’t bad at all.”

Of course, traffic was relative, and Susanna only had New York to compare.

“What time did you leave?” Amber asked.

“Around five.”

She glanced at her computer display. “Hmm. Not too bad. Mr. C. told everyone you’re from New York—as if I couldn’t tell from your accent. Have you been to Charlotte before?”

Susanna shook her head.

“Well, make sure you ask about shortcuts while you’re learning your way around. Of course, if you’re anything like Mr. C., you probably won’t get off the property all that much. But be aware that some shortcuts are better than others. Someone around here is bound to know which is which.”

“Thanks, Amber. I’ll remember that.”

Amber glanced in the direction of the administrative offices then surprised Susanna by continuing the conversation. “When you do manage to get out of here, visit Concord Mills. It’s a huge shopping mall by the Charlotte Speedway, so when you go make sure you plan to spend the whole day.”

“Then I’ll have to bring my daughter when she comes to visit. Shopping is one of her favorite things to do.” When Mom was swiping the plastic, anyway.

“Your daughter doesn’t live with you?”

“Only in between semesters. She’s in her third year at William and Mary.”

“I’m in my third year, too. At UNC. But I’m probably older than your daughter. I work here full-time, so I never take more than three classes. My degree is taking forever.”

Susanna wasn’t sure how to reply and went the philosophical route. “I’m sure when all is said and done you’ll look back and think school took exactly as long as it should have.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Did The Arbors encourage staff to be so friendly, and chatty, or was Susanna sampling real Southern hospitality? She didn’t want to cut off the conversation rudely, but she needed to let the owner know she was here, so she didn’t appear late.

When she opened her mouth to prompt Amber, a man suddenly appeared with an older gentleman in step behind him.

“Mr. C., Mr. Higgins. Guess who’s here?” Amber announced.

“I see.” The younger of the two gentlemen inclined his head to acknowledge the receptionist. Then his gaze fixed on Susanna as he strode toward her, all broad shoulders and quick energy. His smile was wide and fast. “Jay Canady, Ms. Adams. Welcome to The Arbors. Walter Higgins, our CFO.”

For a moment, Susanna stared. That voice. Deep-throated, like honey melted in whiskey, not a drawl, but soft, stretching vowels that made every syllable distinctive. It took another moment to realize he was waiting for a reply. She’d stopped breathing. Literally.

What on earth was wrong with her?

“A pleasure to meet you, gentlemen,” she managed. Then she was shaking hands and making more chitchat while distracting herself with memory associations so she wouldn’t forget names.

Walter Higgins, dapper elderly chap with a bow tie. CFO, my old job.

Jay Canady, aka Mr. C. The man who wants to sell off this gorgeous facility.

Not that she would need a memory prompt to remember him.

Susanna had reviewed the man’s biographical data. Although she knew he was thirty-two years old and the third generation to run this facility, Jay Canady wasn’t what she’d expected.

He was all chiseled lines and ruthless masculinity. Neatly trimmed blond hair contrasted sun-scorched skin that suggested he spent time outdoors, a fact reinforced by his toned physique. And his eyes were the greenest green she’d ever seen.

Susanna wasn’t sure what she expected a man who ran a memory-care facility to look like, but she hadn’t expected hints of David Beckham and Eomer from The Lord of the Rings.

“Northstar promised to send us the perfect property director, and here you are,” Jay said.

“Perfect for The Arbors, anyway,” she said quickly. “I can’t imagine any place lovelier. The drive from the gate was breathtaking.”

“You should see the arbors in spring bloom,” Walter said.

“She will,” Jay said. “But not until spring. Now let’s get you settled before the parade begins. Everyone wants to meet you. I’ll take you to your new office so you can settle in before I give you the dime tour.”

The dime tour? How charming. With a polite hand on her elbow, Jay whisked her from the lobby and down a corridor of administrative offices.

“Welcome to The Arbors, Ms. Adams,” Walter said about halfway down the hall. “Say the word when you’re ready to tour the financial offices. We run a tight ship. You’ll be pleased.”

“I’m sure I will, Walter. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“The same.” If Walter had been wearing a hat, he would have tipped it. He was such a dashing gentleman.

“I understand Walter’s been an employee since the beginning,” she said after he vanished into an office, leaving her alone with Jay.

“Before, actually. My grandmother hired him before she ever broke ground on this place.”

“That continuity of staff says a lot about your facility. It’s not common nowadays.”

“Has plusses. Minuses, too. Our out-of-house tax attorney was around since the start, too, but he didn’t trust computers, so he wrote everything by hand.”

“That must have presented some challenges,” she said diplomatically.

Jay pulled a face. “He finally retired. We hired a new firm that conducts twenty-first-century business. But I suspect Northstar will reassign those out-of-house duties.”

She liked that he put business practices immediately on the table. “Once we start going through everything, I’ll be able to tell you for certain. One of our partners is Rockport Investment Banking. I think you’ll approve their caliber of service.”

Jay didn’t reply before they reached the office at the end of the hall labeled with a simple gold plate: Administrator.

Pushing the door wide, he allowed her to precede him.

The office must have cornered the building because two walls were nothing but floor-to-ceiling windows. The view beyond only proved The Arbors was heaven on earth. Beyond the manicured slope of lawn stretched a lake, calmly reflecting the arbors that circled the far end and the towering forest that hid most of the main house from sight.

She recognized pines and fir but there were other trees in glorious autumn bloom, bright splashes of color that hinted at how spectacular this view would be a little further into the season when the leaves really started to change.

“What are those red trees?” she asked. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”

“Around here we call them flaming trees.”

“They’re gorgeous.” She wanted to take cell phone photos to send to her family and friends. “Tell me I’ll be able to work in here and not stare out these windows all day.”

Jay smiled and seemed to like her response. Good. She needed to get off to a good start with this man.

“I’m sure the view will inspire you to do remarkable work,” he said. “It’s tradition. One that needs to continue.”

There was a warning in that sweet whiskey voice. Cocking a hip against the desk, she met his gaze. “Concerns?”

“Just want to make sure we’re on the same page. I’ve been dealing with the suits and attorneys. They’re all quick to promise they can take The Arbors to the next level. I want that, but not at the expense of my residents or staff. The quality of care is what makes us unique. You’ll be in charge of making sure everyone’s taken care of. Thought I should put that up front so you know what I expect.”

Hmm. Demanding, bossy even, but Susanna appreciated the honesty. Her own boss, Gerald Mayne, had warned her she’d have a tough job reassuring Jay that Northstar would continue the quality of service his family had established as a private facility. Jay took seriously his responsibility to those who relied upon him, which made her wonder why he was selling The Arbors at all. Gerald hadn’t shared that information.

“That’s what I want, too, Jay.” Susanna meant it. “We’ve got six months together, and I intend to make this transition smooth and positive. That starts with understanding what you do around here. Then we can figure out how to implement policies and procedures to get The Arbors on board as a Northstar property. How does that sound?”

“Like we’re on the same page.”

Susanna certainly hoped so, because absolutely everything important in her life rode on these next six months.

On her success.

CHAPTER TWO

JAY HEADED TOWARD the maintenance and engineering building to retrieve another radio—he’d given his to Susanna—pondering their first meeting. Unfortunately, leaving the administrative offices forced him into the front lobby, where Amber lay in wait.

“Thank you so much, Mr. C.” Her tone bore up her sour expression. “I guess you needed an engraved invitation to meet the new administrator. She must think I’m a total idiot.”

“What are you talking about? You made her feel right at home. That’s what I pay you to do.”

“I was covering for you, and you left me hanging.”

“Why didn’t you page me, then?”

“You were standing twenty feet away in the bushes. Did you really want the radio to go off where she could—”

“Since when do you use the radio?”

“Oh, right. Like I’m supposed to send a text message in front of my new boss.”

Jay chuckled. Amber had practically been reared at The Arbors because her mother had worked here for years. She was comfortable in a way even the longest hires weren’t. She’d volunteered for school service hours, had been a part-time transportation aide during high school. Understandably, she was worried about all the changes.

He tried to soothe her ruffled feathers. “You bought me a few minutes to get the lay of the land. I thank you for that.”

She gave an exasperated huff and spun around in her chair, dismissing him. He smiled and continued on his way, hoping the new administrator had come prepared to deal with this crew.

Circling the building, he headed toward the north end of the property and the maintenance buildings tucked away there, concealed by the trees and the slope.

Jay found Chester in the garage. A middle-aged African-American man with more and more gray in his hair each passing year, the maintenance and engineering supervisor was the calm in the middle of any storm. Jay couldn’t remember the man so much as raise his voice in his twelve years on the payroll.

“Need another radio, Chester.”

“You got it, Mr. C.” He disappeared through a doorway, where all electronics were locked in the climate-controlled office.

When he returned, Jay asked, “Everything okay? You get an ETA on the mower yet?”

Chester nodded. “The repair shop promised I can pick it up by Friday. Don’t fret. Worst case is it rains, and I get the crew out with push mowers.”

“The crew won’t like that.”

A slow smile spread over Chester’s face. “You know it.”

And that was that. Jay appreciated a supervisor who was a man of few words.

Arriving at the main building, he bypassed the front entrance and a second helping of Amber’s verbal abuse and made for the employee exit at the north wing. As he rounded the corner, Jay realized he’d made a tactical error.

The new administrator’s office.

He paraded in the middle of that view Susanna had been so excited about.

And there she was, showcased in the window. She’d removed her jacket, and the slip of a blouse she wore outlined her delicate curves with some silky fabric that looked soft to the touch.

Ironically, she stood in the same place he’d always stood, in a similar pose even. Hands wrapped around a coffee mug, trying to absorb the peace of the grounds when life inside The Arbors spun at tornado velocity.

He wondered what she was looking for and wondered why he wondered.

But he’d stepped right into it, so to speak, and there was nothing to do but keep moving. Susanna startled when she saw him—an unexpected intruder mere feet beyond the glass. Then her face lit with a surprised smile.

He waved.

She waved back.

God, he was such an idiot. This shortcut needed to be deleted from his repertoire. The walk past the window took forever, but he finally reached the north exit. Entering the code on the keypad with impatient thrusts, he tried to shake off annoyance at his stupidity.

What if Susanna felt rushed because he’d practically shown up in her office? And what had she been sipping in that mug? Had she ventured down to Dietary for some coffee?

Without knocking, Jay shoved open the door to Walter’s office and plunked down in the chair in front of the desk.

“What’s up?” Walter glanced away from the computer screen.

“She drove in from Raleigh this morning. I should have at least offered her coffee.”

“Her, as in Ms. Adams?”

“Know anyone else who drove in from Raleigh today?”

Walter raked a tight gaze over Jay. “I can have Chester set up a card table for you. That can be your new work space.”

“I won’t need it, thank you. I’m not planning on working anymore. Just transitioning.”

Walter arched a white eyebrow. “You think so?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Your mouth to God’s ear, boy. And you might do well to ask for a little assistance from your mother, father and grandmother while you’re at it. God rest their souls.”

Jay should have known Walter would drag in divine intervention. And to his surprise the divine did intervene—when the radio crackled at his waist, saving him from continuing this stupid conversation.

“I’m ready for a tour whenever you are, Jay,” Susanna said through the speaker.

“On my way.” He headed out of Walter’s office without a backward glance.

Susanna had barely opened his former office door before the apology poured out of his mouth.

“That shortcut won’t be a problem. Employees only use that exit to the parking lot on the other side of the building.”

He hoped she didn’t think he was spying on her.

She chuckled good-naturedly. “No worries. Amber mentioned shortcuts this morning.”

He wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, but he did notice she’d covered up that silky blouse with her jacket again.

“Probably a good thing you showed up when you did. It’s too easy to get distracted by that view. You did say you managed to get work done in here, right?”

“You will. When no one’s distracting you.” Like he had.

Glancing at the mug sitting on the shelf beside the watercooler, he said, “I’m glad someone thought to take care of you. I could have offered you a cup of coffee after your drive.”

She waved him off with a graceful motion. “Thanks, Jay, but I take care of me.”

There was something in that statement. Jay had no clue what, but he wondered. “You travel with coffee?”

Her soft laugh swallowed up the air between them. Or maybe it was the fluid display she made as she leaned over to reach inside her laptop case to produce a small foil package. “VIA. Instant Starbucks coffee for people on the go. Your water dispenser provides hot water. You can drink this cold, though, too.”

“It’s your water dispenser now. I’d like to say you can get a decent cup of coffee around here, but I’d be lying. I budget for the good stuff, but when it’s brewed in big quantities... Keep a supply of those on hand.”

She dropped the package back into her case. “Appreciate the heads-up.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

Her smile flashed wide and bright, and he noticed again how attractive she was. Not what he needed to be noticing.

“Let’s get this show on the road.” He grabbed the door for the lady and motioned her through, forcing himself not to notice how attractive she was from behind, too.

He kept his gaze leveled at the back of her head—where it belonged—not noticing the way her shiny dark hair caught the light, bouncing around her shoulders with her every step.

Excitement must be getting the better of him, because the plans he’d been making for eight months were coming together in the very feminine form of this new administrator.

* * *

SUSANNA’S TOUR BEGAN with the entry code to the secure doors off the front lobby—lockdown, as the wings of patient rooms were known—and hadn’t slowed the whirlwind pace in the hours since. She tried to tamp down her nerves, which hummed at full volume, as she absorbed everything at once.

Gerald had led her to expect a top-notch facility, and The Arbors appeared to be that. At a glance, the staff seemed professional and friendly, residents well-groomed and active.

Jay was a charming host as he directed her through the facility and instructed her on a floor plan that served both utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. Four wings branched off from the lobby and two centrally located elevators.

The elevators were large enough to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and gurneys, providing the only access to the upper floors besides locked emergency stairs at the end of each wing.

“We’ll assign you codes to get through the outer exits, too,” he said. “They can be handy when traffic backs up.”

“Which happens quite a bit, I imagine.”

He appeared to consider that, tipping his head to one side so that strands of blond hair slipped over his brow. “Actually, not too much unless we call 9-1-1. Then we reserve the south elevator until emergency arrives. The residents don’t do a lot of traveling between floors unless they’re going to the third floor for therapy, so that helps.”

Pausing with his hand poised over the keypad, he glanced at her and added, “I provided Gerald with our policy and procedure manual. Have you had a chance to look at it yet?”

“Cover to cover.”

His smile came fast, a smile that nearly blinded her with approval. “Good.”

This man wanted the arrangement to work as much as she did, Susanna realized. She wasn’t sure how she knew, but she did. And the awareness both surprised and reassured her. With Jay’s assistance, this transition should go smoothly.

She hoped. The first step began with Susanna convincing Jay to go through with acquisition.

But he wanted to be convinced...and that realization made her feel much better. “Reviewing schedules and staffing budgets is different from seeing the result of a well-staffed facility in action,” she said as they exited the elevator.

“It takes adequate staff to provide adequate care. It’s criminal what some facilities get away with.”

He came to a sharp stop outside the elevator and thrust the hair off his forehead with an absent gesture. “You do not want to get me started on my opinion of federal regulations.”

“Noted.” Obviously a hot spot.

“Here at The Arbors, we have a shift R.N. who manages the LPNs, the licensed practical nurses, on every floor and deals with the physician who makes rounds each day. Yes, I said physician, not nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant.”

He was clearly proud, and as Susanna’s expertise was in the facility finances, she knew the budget and what that service could cost. One of the areas she would be looking at to bring the budget variances in line with Northstar’s specifications.

She kept that to herself since they were off to such a promising start. There would be plenty of time to address the differences between corporate and private management.

Entering the first-floor nursing center, she paid careful attention to the designations of the staff who ran in and out of rooms. LPNs were responsible for dispensing medication. Certified nursing assistants, known as CNAs, helped with patient care while the patient care technicians, or PCTs, handled hygiene and grooming.

Dieticians worked in top-notch kitchen facilities and their assistants transported meals to restorative dining areas for residents who were unable to feed themselves. Housekeepers. Maintenance and engineering staff. Each nurses’ station serviced two wings, not only as home base for the caregivers but a gathering area for many residents.

“No, no, Mrs. Highsmith, you can’t go to your room right now,” an LPN said as she stopped a tiny woman in a wheelchair and deftly brought her around to face the nurses’ station. “Stay here and keep me company while I fill out these charts, all right?”

Susanna didn’t catch Mrs. Highsmith’s response before Jay whisked her along yet another hallway. The only downside to the facility setup was that with every wing laid out in the same way and decorated to convey a homey ambiance, she couldn’t quite pinpoint where she was.

“I will eventually gain my sense of direction around here, won’t I?” she asked Jay.

He laughed with his rich warm voice that managed to be the only sound she heard over the noise of a busy floor. “Just watch the room numbers until you get the hang of the place.”

“Not that he’s the best judge.” The somber male voice came from behind them.

She and Jay stopped and turned to find Walter exiting a conference room.

“The boy’s been working this property since he was gurgling and cooing to entertain the residents.”

“Thank you, Walter,” Jay said dryly.

Susanna bit back a laugh, not sure what amused her more, the thought of Jay as a boy or a green-eyed baby.

“The residents loved you then and they love you now.” Walter held up a hand and whispered conspiratorially, “Everyone loves him around here. You’ve got big boots to fill.”

Another warning, but before Susanna could respond, Jay said, “Everyone can’t wait to see the last of me.”

“You wish.”

Jay scowled so hard Susanna refrained from comment. Judging from what she’d seen so far, she’d have to side with Walter. She made another mental note but didn’t get a chance to worry about potential staff resistance as Jay hurried her away. She met everyone on shift until she practically vibrated from information overload.

When her phone rang, Susanna seized the opportunity. “My daughter,” she told Jay. “I need to take this.”

“Radio me when you’re ready for the north wing,” Jay said.

Susanna made her escape with a smile and the phone cradled against her ear. “Hang on, Brooke.” She used her passcode for the first time to exit the secured area.

“Hey, pretty,” she said, making her way toward her office. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I’m dying here, Mom.” Brooke sounded peeved. “You never texted me to let you know you’d made it to Charlotte.”

And Brooke wasn’t the only one, Susanna realized. Everyone would want to know she’d arrived safely. One text and Brooke could have passed along the news, so no one would have had to worry. Said a lot about Susanna’s anxiety level.

“I’m so, so sorry. The drive was fine, but I hit the ground running as soon as I got here and haven’t stopped since. Touring the place and meeting everyone.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll use that excuse the next time you blast me for forgetting to let you know I made it back to school.”

“I was so worked up about getting here I wasn’t thinking. No excuses. I should have texted.”

“You admit you were wrong.” But she didn’t give Susanna a chance to respond before asking, “Is everything going okay? Do you like North Carolina?”

Brooke was eager to know if she would like their new home base. Susanna launched into an excited account of The Arbors, from the view in her office to the whirlwind tour of the facility. “I haven’t seen where I’ll be living yet, but if it looks anything like everything else around here, the cottage will be amazing. It’s another world.”

Brooke laughed. “Must be. You sound like you’re gonna hyperventilate.”

“I can’t believe I’m in North Carolina.”

“This will be great, Mom. Just relax and give it a chance.”